You would need to take the engine out to get the front timing cover off, but as said polished in the bay is the only other way. What makes it a ballache is the fact you've got to lean over the bumper which can cause quite a few aches and pains.
Anything that can be removed you get a far better finish, example below. But in place I'll use a mix of dremmel and drill with varying mops and compounds.
So from Atkins efforts I'd say pretty good, its just so time consuming, messy, and full of aches and pains.